Videostudio 8 Audio Sync

[Maverick_13]

I have converted numerous format videos and stills (.mov, .wmv, .mp3, .avi, .jpg) into a single saved DVD (.mpg) file. On the saved .mpg file all sound is in sync.

When creating a DVD folder or burning directly to a disk the audio goes out of sync. Note: when creating a DVD folder or writing to a disk Videostudio 8 creates a seperate "convert" file. The convert file in both cases is in sync.

I have gone through this entire process in the past, including a "corrected" sync problem, with great success. However, my computer HD crashed a short time ago and I had to rebuild my entire program list. I may have added a patch or some other type of fix that I cannot remember and did not write down.

I believe that since the problem does not appear in the combined .mpg nor in the convert .mpg files that the original source files should not be the problem.

All that being said........ HELP!

CPU AMD Athlon XP 2800
RAM 1536
O/S XP Pro SP2

[DVDDoug]

On the saved .mpg file all sound is in sync... The convert file in both cases is in sync.

Although that file is in-sync, it most-likely has some sort of problem that's causing it to go out-of-sync when it's re-coded or re-multiplexed.* (When a file plays OK, but causes trouble later, I call it "sneaky corruption". "Sneaky corruption" is more common than you would think!)

First, try checking the box that says Do Not Convert Compliant MPEGs.

You can also try downloading the trial version of VS11. The rumor is that VS8 was particularly prone to this problem.

VideoReDo and Womble both include tools that can sometimes repair the time codes in an MPEG file. The idea would be to process the apparently-good MPEG file thru the repair tool before making the DVD. That is, repair the file before it goes out of sync. (Both programs offer a free-trial.)

(.mov, .wmv, .mp3, .avi, .jpg)

None of these formats that use "lossy" compression are really meant to be edited or converted. In order to edit or convert them, they have to be de-compressed and then re-compressed. This means a 2nd lossy-encode step, which degrades the quality. (Still, there's no excuse for them going out of sync... But in the real world, it does frequently happen.)

All of the highly-compressed formats can be trouble when you try to edit and convert them. MOV, WMV, and the MPEG-4 variations cause the most trouble. A combination of these formats is very likely to give you trouble! (Even MPEG-2 can sometimes cause trouble.) AVI is a "container" or "wrapper' format, and it can contain any type of compression. AVI-DV (at 13GB per hour) almost never causes any trouble!



* Just for example: Imagine that you have a bad video frame... The bad video-frame gets tossed-out during re-coding or re-multiplexing, but the associated audio remains intact... Now, you have a sync problem.

[Ken Berry]

If the DVD/mpg file you produced was truly DVD compliant, then a conversion during the burning process is surely unnecessary.

Can you check to ensure that 'Do not convert compliant mpeg files' is ticked in the Options cogwheel icon in the bottom left of the burning screen.

[Maverick_13]

Though I appreciate both replies, they do not address the problem. I have done exactly what I am doing now in the past without any trouble.

I say without any trouble but that is not exactly true. I had the problem and did something to fix it in '05. I do not remember what I did but I believe it was a "fix-it" patch of some sort.

Since the last time I did this successfully my HD crashed. If there was a patch, it was lost in the HD rebuild. But I know I have done this very action in the past. I am a coach that gives the players a DVD at the end of the year. Same process in '06, no problems.

Any suggestions on a fix for VS 8?

[NoM.O]

I think this is what you're after - http://www.ulead.com/tech/general/burning_patch.htm. It solved my OOS issues with VS8 anyway.

Another common suggestion is to disable smart rendering, although, after installing the burning patch I found that smart rendering worked fine.

peace.

[Ken Berry]

Have you even tried any of the suggestions made to see if they do in fact address the problem?

You tell us you produced what is supposed to be a DVD file, by which I take it you produced a DVD-compatible mpeg-2 file. No sync problem.

Then you say that in burning, a 'convert' file is created. My point was that if your DVD file is in fact being converted during the burning process, then VS for some reason thinks it is not DVD compliant, or else it is converting it to the default DVD properties because 'Do not convert compliant mpeg files' was NOT ticked.

VS8 was notoriously buggy when it came to sync problems. The patch NoM.O has given may help. I hope it does. Turning off SmartRender during the production of your DVD file also helped prevent OOS occurring at that stage. But you reported you did not have OOS at that stage anyway.

But the basic point remains that there should not be a conversion of your DVD file occurring in the burning process if it is indeed DVD compliant and 'do not convert' is ticked. The only conversion should be of your menu. Then there should be multiplexing of your video and audio and the actual burn...

[Maverick_13]

Yes, I did try the options suggested. I, also, downloaded all patches from Ulead for VS 8 and the patch I was directed to try. Same problem still exists.

I know there is a fix because I have done exactly what I am trying to do now in the past. Whatever I lost in my "HD crash" is the problem, I guess. I will keep trying!

[Maverick_13]

Mission accomplished! Not positive what the actual fix was but here are the changes I made.

I split the audio away from the .mpg. I set the "Frame Type" preference to "Upper Field First".

I wish I could tell you I made these changes with great knowledge and expertize for the program. Truth be told, I have no idea why that worked!! But I will remember.

Thanks for everyone's suggestions. I tried them all except for purchasing any new programs.